A Belfast court has refused bail to Hugh Black, 51, from Rosehead, charged with the murder of Danny McClean in north Belfast in February 2021 and the attempted murder of taxi driver Sean O’Reilly in west Belfast in February 2025.

McClean, 54, received at least four gunshot wounds to the head and body while seated in his Audi Q2 on Cliftonville Road. CCTV captured a figure exiting a Vauxhall Vectra and firing at the vehicle. Prosecution evidence includes gait analysis supporting identification of Black as the gunman and a partial match to a Vectra registered to him.

In the later incident, two gunmen attacked O’Reilly, 49, at a cab firm on Bell Steel Manor. Shots wounded him in the shoulder blade and collar bone while he sat in his Skoda Octavia taxi. One pistol jammed and did not fire. Police recovered both weapons nearby and linked one ballistically to McClean's murder.

Detectives allege Black acted as a lookout in the O’Reilly attack based on CCTV. Both incidents connect to Oglaigh na hEireann during internal dissident republican conflicts.

Black denies involvement in either case. His defence argued the evidence is circumstantial with no direct forensic or ballistic links after a year in custody.

An investigating detective stated release poses a risk to the public given the open-area shootings and Black's alleged four-year involvement in dissident republican violence.

Deputy District Judge Gerard Trainor denied bail and adjourned the case to April 29, requiring a prosecution timeline for the investigation. Trainor noted the case approaches a point where courts grant bail due to delays.